CHAPTER III. 
Prepare the Beagle, and our decked boat (the Hope) for surveying the 
Strait—Beagle sails westward, and the Hope towards the south-east— 
Sarmiento’s voyage—and description of the colony formed by him at 
Port Famine—Steamer-duck—Large trees—Parroquets—Mount Tarn 
—Barometrical observations — Geological character — Report of the 
Hope’s eruize. 
In almost every account published of the Strait of Magal- 
haens, so much notice has been taken of Port Famine, that I 
had long considered it a suitable place for our purposes ; and 
upon examination I found it offered so many advantages, that 
T did not hesitate to make it our head-quarters. As soon, there- 
fore, as the ship was moored, tents were pitched, our decked- 
boat was hoisted out and hauled on shore, to be coppered 
and equipped for the survey ;—and Captain Stokes received 
orders to prepare the Beagle for examining the western part 
of the Strait; previous to which: she required to be partially 
refitted, and supplied with fuel and water. 
For several days after our arrival, we had much rain and 
strong south-westerly wind, with thick clouds, which con- 
cealed the high land to the southward ; allowing us only now 
and then a partial glimpse. One evening (11th) the air was 
unusually clear, and many of the mountains in that direction 
were distinctly defined. We had assembled to take leave of our 
friends in the Beagle, and were watching the gradual appear- 
ance of snow-capped mountains which had previously been con- 
cealed, when, bursting upon our view, as if by magic, a 
lofty mountain appeared towering among them; whose snowy 
mantle, strongly contrasted with the dark and threatening 
aspect of the sky, much enhanced the grandeur of the scene. 
This mountain was the “‘ Snowy Volcano” (Volcan Nevado) 
of Sarmiento, with whose striking appearance that celebrated 
navigator scems to have been particularly impressed, so minute 
